Government Support for School Leavers

The National Careers Institute launched the Your Career (www.yourcareer.gov.au) website on 1st October. This website has been established as a one-stop-shop for people of all ages who are seeking to enter the workforce, or make a career change. It connects people to information about current labour market conditions and provides tools and resources to help people make career decisions, as well as acting as a job search portal.

On the website there are also special services targeting this year’s school leavers. The School Leavers Information Kit and School Leavers Information Service will help Year 12 students navigate the changed labour market as a result of COVID-19. Visit: https://yourcareer.gov.au/school-leavers-support/.

USC Headstart

USC’s Headstart program allows Year 11 and 12 students to complete a university subject while still at school – fee-free. Participants in Headstart attend classes and complete all the same tasks and assessments as university students. Their results are also included on their university academic record.

A Headstart subject isn’t used in the calculation of a student’s ATAR. But if they pass the subject, a single adjustment point will be applied if they choose to study at USC after Year 12. Students will also receive credit for that subject.

The best times to undertake a Headstart subject are in Semester 2 of Year 11 or in Semester 1 of Year 12. Applications are now open for students who wish to apply for Headstart in Semester 1, 2021. USC is currently reviewing its course offerings and some courses may be entirely online, which will make it much easier for students to participate. If you are interested in applying, please make an appointment to speak with me directly about your best options.

Mrs Wanda Hayes, Head of Career Development